Family, friends say goodbye to Aaron Ortiz, who drowned at football camp

By Jessica Hackett

Wednesday

Aug 29, 2007 at 12:01 AMAug 29, 2007 at 4:53 AM

Hundreds of mourners filled the pews at the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street to say goodbye to Oliver Ames High School football player Aaron Ortiz Wednesday morning, Aug. 29.

Hundreds of mourners filled the pews at the Immaculate Conception Church on Main Street to say goodbye to Oliver Ames High School football player Aaron Ortiz Wednesday morning, Aug. 29.

Ortiz, a sophomore, drowned Aug. 23 at a camp in Maine, where the Oliver Ames High School and Norton High School football teams traveled to train for the upcoming season. Ortiz was trying out for a running back position on the team. He was also a member of the wrestling and track teams.

The Rev. James Flavin, of Brockton, told family, friends, town officials and Oliver Ames coaches and players who filled the church to capacity, their attendance at Ortiz’s funeral showed just how many lives he touched.

“Although he had a short life here on earth, Aaron made the world a better place for all of us,” Flavin said.

Flavin told Ortiz’s friends to support each other during these tough times, and to not let the small things get in the way of relationships with loved ones.

He told them everything happens for a reason, and life is something that should not be taken for granted. Flavin told mourners to go home and make sure they told their family and friends they loved them, even though they may have their differences at times.

“Don’t let one more moment go by in your life, where you have to say ‘what if?’” Flavin said.

Ortiz’s friends, some who shaved messages of love into their hair in memory of Ortiz, lead the casket, which was draped in white, out of the church.

Neil Levine, the Oliver Ames Cross Country coach attended the funeral. His team had just returned from their own training retreat in Nantucket.

“He ran track but I didn’t coach him directly,” said Levine. “I knew him though. As a coach, it is your worst nightmare (to lose an athlete). When you see hundreds of kids at the funeral service it drives home the point of the awesome responsibility we have. My heart goes out to the family. The priest had a tremendous sermon entitled ‘life is fragile’ directed at young kids. (He wanted them to) live each day like it was your last.”

A fund has been set up for Aaron Ortiz. If you would like to send a donation, you can send it to the Aaron Ortiz Memorial Fund, c/o North Easton Savings bank, 679 Depot Street, Easton, MA 02356.

Sports editor David Auguste contributed to this report.

Jessica Hackett of the Easton (Mass.) Journal can be reached at jhackett@cnc.com.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Waynesboro Record Herald - Waynesboro, PA ~ 30 Walnut St. Waynesboro, PA 17268 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service